Rotary endorser under control of document sensing means



15, 1967 D. J. MOSCHETTI ET AL 3,335,661

ROTARY ENDORSER UNDER CONTROL OF DOCUMENT SENSING MEANS Filed July 31, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR DONALD J. uoscmzrn MALCOM a sum" BYROLAND E.RIPPLINGER Aug. 15, 1967 D. J. MOSCHETTI ETAL ROTARY ENDORSER UNDER CONTROL OF DOCUMENT SENSING MEANS Filed July 31, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ENDORSEMENT ENDORSEMENT ENDORSEMENT ENDORSEMENT ENDORSEMENT ENDORSEMENT ENDORSEMENT ENDORSEMENT ENDORSEMENT Q N PAY ANY BANK PEG. m NAME OF N u- BANK -1 In CITY STATE w 2 a 4 5 e 7 s 9 0 Ji l/gall llllll INVENTOR. DONALD J. MOSCHETTI MALCOM 6. SMITH BY ROLAND E. RIFPLINGER 15, 1967 D. J. MOSCHETTI T L 3,335,661

ROTARY ENDORSER UNDER CONTROL OF DOCUMENT SENSING MEANS Filed July 31, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 I I I ,1 a2

8 INVENTOR.

DONALD J. MOSCHETTI MALCOM G. SMITH ROLAND E. RIPPLINGER Aug. 15, 1967 J MOSCHETTI ETAL 3,335,661

ROTARY ENDORSER UNDER CONTROL OF DOCUMENT SENSING MEANS Filed July 31, 1964 4 Sheets-$heet 4 4o 42 :25 fl'L- J f 43 A29 I24 I 3 39 I26 CHECK Q45 12a 90 I35 s I36 I30 R 0 as I43 I N 'VENTCDR.

DONALD J. MOSCHETTI MALCOM G. SMITH ROLAND E. RIPPLINGER QLMWZ United States Patent 3,335 661 ROTARY ENDORSER IJNDER CONTROL OF DOCUMENT SENSING MEANS Donald J. Moschetti, Malcolm G. Smith, and Roland E.

Ripplinger, Phoenix, Ariz., assignors to General Eleclric Company, a corporation of New York Filed July 31, 1964, Ser. No. 386,671 5 Claims. '(Cl. 101--235) The present invention relates generally to a printing or stamping mechanism and more particularly to a mechanism for providing a stamp or endorsement on a document. By the present invention, this stamp or endorsement may be selectively and accurately placed at any of a plurality of discrete locations on the document while the document is moving at a high rate of speed.

While the present invention is applicable to the placement of an endorsement or stamp on any type of document, the specific embodiment to be subsequently described and explained relates to the banking field and the placement of an endorsement on the back of checks. Therefore, while the subsequent explanation frequently refers to check(s), it is to be expressly understood that this term is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is meant to include all types of documents.

In todays world of business, a given document is often processed numerous times by various organizations or establishments during its useful life. In the field of banking, for example, a check drawn on a particular bank may, prior to its final payment by that bank, pass through numerous other banks and/or clearing houses. As a check passes from one bank or clearing house to another, each bank or clearing house places its own endorsement on the back of the check to indicate that the check has been processed through that particular establishment. The placement of this endorsement was originally a hand operation and little or no care was taken to insure that an endorsement did not overlap the endorsements of other establishments. Thus, by the time a particular check had been processed through several establishments, the several endorsements had become so overlapped and intermingled that difliculty was experienced in determining the route the check had taken.

With the advent of modern day electronic data processing equipment, a great deal of the hand operation originally associated with the processing of checks has been automated. As an example, most checks are now imprinted With a bank transit number which may be read by a suitable reading device. These checks are automaticaly sorted by apparatus associated with the reading device in accordance with the particular transit number appearing on that check. It is immediately apparent that it would be desirable to provide a mechanism which would place the banks endorsement on the back of the check without further manual operation and that one logical place for providing this endorsement function is in the apparatus which sorts the checks according to the transit number appearing thereon.

It is, therefore, known in the art to include, as a distinguishable element in a check sorting apparatus, some means for stamping or endorsing the back of checks as they are individually fed to be acted upon by the sorting apparatus. While several types of endorsement mechanisms have been so incorporated, perhaps the most common of these employs a constantly rotating drum. A rubber stamp is aflixed to the drum surface so that with each revolution of the drum the stamp, properly inked, is brought to a position such that, should a check happen to be at that position, the endorsement will be placed on the back of the check. While this method of providing the endorsement usually manages to get an endorsement placed upon the check, the actual position of the endorse- 3,335,661 Patented Aug. 15, 1967 ment is purely haphazard and it may even happen that a portio not the endorsement is located near the leading edge of the check and the remaining portion of the endorsement near the trailing edge of the check. Thus, while the prior are. does provide for the placement of an endorsement during the sorting operation, the confusion resulting from overlapping endorsements still remains.

Free standing, i.e. independent, endorsing mechanisms are also known. These mechanisms are, however, normally of the type just described and once again no effort is made to accurately position the endorsement.

The present invention overcomes the objections to the prior art by providing a mechanism which will accurately place an endorsement on a moving document in one of several designated areas. The area in which the endorsement is placed may be varied by the user in accordance with his individual needs.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a mechanism which will accurately place an endorsement or stamp on a document in a specified area.

Another object is to provide a mechanism for endorsing moving documents in a prescribed area of the document.

Still another object is to provide an endorsing mechanism which may be used in conjunction with a document sorting apparatus.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an endorsement mechanism, which may be used in conjunction with a document sorting apparatus, whose operation is initiated by the physical presence of a document but which is subsequently operated at a speed synchronous with that of the document sorting apparatus.

Another object is to provide an endorsement mechanism which, when used in cooperation with other apparatus, is asynchronously started, synchronously run with respect to the associated apparatus, and. halted after a specified amount of operation.

Briefly stated, the present invention provides a mechanism which may be either the basis of an independent device or may be utilized in conjunction with some other apparatus, for example, a document sorter. The present invention provides for the placement of an endorsement or stamp in a controllable area on a moving document; that is, the endorsement may be placed in any of several designated areas on the document or check. The area in which the endorsement is placed may be varied under the control of the operator. Operation of this mechanism is initiated by sensing the presence of a document. Once started, however, the mechanism is synchronously run with respect to the continuously moving document and after a prescribed amount of operation, the mechanism terminates its action in response to a self-initiated stop control signal.

In operation, the check travels a prescribed course or path past a rotating backing drum. A sensing means located along the check path senses the presence of the check and, through suitable circuitry, effects the connection of a driving means to a rotatable member to which is attached a printing or stamping head. Once begun, the operation of the printing head is synchronized with the speed of the check such that, at the precise time the check is located adjacent the backing drum, the printing head contacts the check and places an endorsement on the check in a prescribed location. After a predetermined amount of rotation of the rotatable member, a timing device associated with the rotatable member generates a signal which serves to disconnect the driving means and the rotatable member is halted. An interlocking feature prevents the disengagement of the driving means with the rotatable member during a specified period of the latters rotation.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds and the features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out in particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a document sorter incorporating the endorsement mechanism of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an example of an endorsement such as might be applied by a bank with the mechanism of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic illustration of the back of a check showing the nine endorsement positions available in accordance with the specific embodiment of the invention herein shown and described;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view, partially broken away and partially in section, illustrating the endorsement mechanism of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the endorser head and illustrating its relationship to a portion of the control means of the present invention;

FIG. *6 is a top plan view of FIG. 5 having added thereto, in outline, the ink roller and backup drum;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view, in section, illustrating the structure of the endorser head and its vertical adjustability with respect to the rotatable member;

FIG. 8 is a schematic drawing illustrating the principles of the control of the mechanism of the present invention; and,

FIG. 9 is a schematic drawing illustrating a possible modification to the schematic of FIG. 8.

With reference now to FIG. 1, there is shown, as one possible environment, a document sorter which has been equipped with an endorsement mechanism of the present invention. The purpose of a document sorter is to act upon a quantity of documents, checks in the present example, in a serial or one at a time manner and to sort these checks into various classifications or categories according to information present on the check. The document sorter includes a deck plate 10 upon which the parts or components of the document sorter are positioned. Starting at the right-hand side of the FIG. 1 illustration, there is further included a hopper 12 into which is placed a stack of documents 14. Positioned essentially above the stack 14 is a feeder assembly 16 having a forward feed belt 18. The documents of the stack 14 are urged towards the feeder assembly 16 through the utilization of a biased means 15 acting from the rear of the stack 14 to force the foremost document of the stack into engagement with the forward feed belt 18. The purpose of the feeder assembly 16 is to remove checks from the stack 14 one at a time and to supply them serially to the subsequent document sorter apparatus and endorsement mechanism. While any suitable feeder assembly capable of feeding documents one by one may be utilized, a detailed example of such an assembly may be found in US. Patent No. 3,260,520, Document Handling Apparatus, by William A. Sugden, assigned to the assignee of the present invention.

After leaving the feeder assembly 16, a check is transported between two moving belts 20 and 22 past a reading station 24. The exact nature of the reading section 24 is not of particular importance to the present invention; its purpose being to recognize certain information located on the check and to initiate subsequent operations in accordance with the text of this information. However, as an example, if the information on the check is of the magnetic ink type, the reading station 24 might embody a reading device of the type described in 11.5. Patent No. 3,000,000, Automatic Reading System, by K. R. Eldredge, assigned to the assignee of the present invention.

After leaving reading station 24, the check is carried by the belt 20 cooperating sequentially with belts 22, 26 and 28 past rotating drums 29, 30 and 31. Drum 30 forms 4 a part of the endorsement mechanism 32 of the present invention, as will be more fully described hereinafter.

Having passed the rotating drum 31, the check proceeds along a path towards a plurality of sorting stations each of which is inclusive of a pocket or bin into which checks are placed in accordance with the information read by the reading station 24. In FIG. 1 three such sorting stations 34, 35 and 36 are shown. The sorting stations may be of any suitable type, for example those described in detail in U.S. Patent No. 3,178,179, Document Transferring Apparatus, by George Maclean, assigned to the assignee of the present invention.

Also illustrated in FIG. 1 is a control panel or console 38. The control panel 38 provides a means for operator control of the document sorter and while this control panel will normally contain a large number of switches, indicating lights, etc., only five elements 39, 40, 41, 42 and 43 are here illustrated. These five elements represent the basic control switches for the operation of the endorsement mechanism of the present invention. Element 39 represents the master switch for supplying electrical power to the document sorting mechanism. Element 40 is the main control switch for enabling the endorsement mechanism and elements 41, 42 and 43 represent means whereby a time delay in endorsement operation may be selected by the operator. A more complete explanation of the function of these control elements will be given in the description of FIG. 8 relating to the control of the endorsement mechanism.

Summarizing what has been thus far described, an operator places a stack of documents 14 into the hopper 12 and upon initiation of the sorter mechanism the feeder assembly 16 removes checks one at a time from the stack 14. After leaving the feeder the check passes the reading station 24 where the information contained thereon is read. From the reading station 24 the check proceeds past the rotating drum 29 to the endorsement mechanism 32, including drum 30, thence to drum 31 and from drum 31 to the sorter pockets 34, 35 and 36 wherein the checks are placed in accordance with the information contained on the document as was read at the reading station 24.

Although document speed does not constitute a portion of this invention, in the foregoing as well as the subsequent description, the reader should bear in mind the linear speed of checks being processed. In the document sorting apparatus example just described, it is typical to feed documents at a rate of approximately 1200 documents per minute. Allowing for the sorting of documents having a maximum length of nine inches, and with three inches between the trailing edge of one document and the leading edge of the succeeding document, it is readily seen that the rate of 1200 documents per minute results in a linear speed of approximately 240 inches per second. The present invention, therefore, must be and is capable of providing an endorsement on one surface of a check while the check is traveling at this speed.

Before proceeding with the detailed description of the endorsing mechanism of the present invention, reference is made to FIGS. 2 and 3 which illustrate, respectively, an example of an endorsement such as might be utilized by a bank (FIG. 2) and the format of endorsement positions available in accordance with the specific embodiment of the invention herein described (FIG. 3). The endorsement example of FIG. 2 includes six horizontal lines of information, the top and bottom lines possibly representing the bank transit number. The intermediate lines of information could contain a prior endorsement guarantee as well as the name and location of the establishment through which the check is being processed. Also shown in FIG. 2 are two vertical rows of numbers which, as will be explained during the course of the description of the endorsement head itself, are operator changeable in a manner similar to the common date stamp. As an example of use of these two data rows the left-hand row may represent some special information of the processing establishment While the second row may contain the date upon which the check was processed.

FIG. 3 represents the back of a check which is divided into twelve blocks or areas nine areas labeled Endorsement and three undesignated areas. The three undesignated areas form a horizontal strip across the check to provide a space for a belt to contact the check as it is being transported. The nine blocks labeled Endorsement form threehorizontal rows of three blocks each. These nine blocks represent the nine distinct areas into which an endorsement may be placed in accordance with the specific embodiment of the present invention. It is, of course, understood that it is not the purpose of the present invention to apply nine endorsements at once to the check but rather, in the present example, that a single endorsement be selectively applied in any one of the nine illustrated positions.

The details of the endorsement mechanism of the present invention may best be understood with reference to FIG. 4. Comparing FIG. 4 withFIG. 1 it is seen that a check being fed to the endorsement mechanism 32 is maintained between the two moving belts 20 and 22 as it is transported around the rotating drum 29. A means for sensing the physical presence of a check is positioned adjacent the drum 29. While a variety of sensing means could be utilized for this purpose, that illustrated includes a photocell 44 positioned on one side of the belts 20 and 22 and a light 45 positioned on the opposite side of these belts. Thus, when a check, under the action of the belts 20 and 22, passes between the light 45 and the photocell 44, light is prevented from striking the photocell with a resulting change in the photocell output signal. This change in photocell output may be utilized to effect the subsequent operation of the endorsement mechanism as will be more completely described with respect to the schematic illustration of FIG. 8.

After passing the sensing means, the check is given continued motion along its path by belt 20 and at least one of two vertically spaced belts 26. Belts 20 and 26 carry the check around the rotating drum 30 which forms 'a backing surface during the application of the endorsement to the check.

The endorsement mechanism 32 also includes an endorsement head 50 attached to a rotatable member 48, and an ink roller 54. The rotatable member 48 is positioned adjacent the drum 30 in that region where the check is maintained between the belts 20 and 26. The rotatable member 48 is essentially an elongated shaft of a desired configuration which is mounted and supported through suitable bearings 62 and 64 associated with a support 52 which in turn is secured to and supported by the deck plate 10. The endorsement head 50 will be described in greater detail with respect to FIGS. 5 and 7, sufiice to say at the present that it includes, one surface thereof, an information bearing medium in the form of a suitable pad 51 carrying stamping or imprinting characters which are capable of supplying an endorsement or stamp to a'document. The position of the rotatable member 48 and the dimensions of the endorsement head 58 are such that, as the member 48 rotates, carrying with it the head 50, the characters on the pad 51 first contact the ink roller 54 and then, upon continued roatation, apply an endorsement to a check which is in contact with the drum 30. Rotation of the member 48, as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 4 is in the counterclockwise direction. In order that the ink roller 54 may be adjustable with respect to the face of the pad 51, the roller is mounted on a support 56 which is pivotally mounted, at 58, to the sup port 52. A lock 60 serves to maintain the relative position between the supports 52 and 56.

, Referring still to FIG. 4, there is shown in the cutaway portion of that figure, the means by which the rotatable member 4 8, and hence the head 50, is given motion and stopped. A lower portion 49 of the rotatable member 48 extends through the upper surface of the support 52 and is supported by two vertically spaced bearing assemblies 62 and 64 which are secured to the support 52. Disposed between the two bearing assemblies 62 and 64 is a magnetic type brake 66 which includes an electrical coil 68 affixed to the support 52. Secured to the coil 68 is an annular core 70 of a magnetic material, the upper surface of which serves as a brake surface. A sleeve member 72, having a plurality of splines 73 on an outer periphery thereof is affixed to the lower portion 49 by any suitable means such as a key or locking set screws. An annular brake disc 74 is provided with a plurality of slots extending around its inner periphery such that the slots of the brake disc 74 mate with the splines 73 of the sleeve member 72. This particular structure allows the disc 74 to move in the vertical direction, as seen in FIG. 4, but prohibits the disc 74 from rotational motion. The lower surface of the disc 74 rests in frictional engagement with the upper surface of the core 70. With the coil 68 in the unenergized condition, only minor frictional drag exists between the disc 74 and the core 70 and very little resistance is offered to the rotation of the disc 74. However, upon the application of an electrical current to the coil 68, magnetic forces are created within the core 70 which attract the disc 74 into strong frictional engagement with the core 70 to provide a braking action on the disc 74 and hence on therotatable member 48 and endorsement head 50.

The lower portion 49 of the rotatable member 48 terminates at point 76. A lower shaft 78 is positioned directly below and in substantial axial alignment with the portion 49. Lower shaft 78 is rotatably supported and retained through a suitable bearing assembly 80 secured to the support 52. A gear 82 is attached to the lower end of shaft 78 by any suitable means, for example a key (not shown) and a lower fastener 84. Shaft 78 is given rotational motion through the gear 82 which in turn is driven by a prime mover (not shown) through a suitable means such as a toothed belt 86. The rotational speed of the gear is such that this motion, when transmitted to the endorsement head 50, provides a tangential or linear speed of the pad 51 substantially equal to the linear speed of a check passing the backup drum 30. The shaft 78 is continuously rotated during the operation of the document sorting mechanism.

The motion of the lower shaft 78 is transmitted to the portion 49 through a clutch assembly 88 which is very similar to the brake assembly 66. Clutch assembly 88 includes a clutch coil 90 which may be securely mounted on the support 52. A flanged sleeve 92 is securely mounted to the shaft 78 in the region of the coil 90. Flanged sleeve 92 is of a magnetic material and is positioned contiguously to the coil 90 such that upon the energization of that coil, magnetic forces are established within the flanged sleeve 92. A sleeve member 94 having a plurality of splines 95 on its outer periphery is securely afiixed to the lower end of the portion 49. A clutch disc 96, also of magnetic material and of annular configuration having a plurality of slots located in its inner periphery, is set around the sleeve 94. The lower surface of the disc 96 substantially mates with the upper surface of the flange portion of the sleeve 92 and frictionally engages that portion at all times. While the frictional forces between elements 92 and 96 are not normally sufficient to effect the movement of the latter, upon the application of a suitable electrical current to the coil 90 the magnetic forces set up within the flanged sleeve 92, attract the disc 96 suificiently to effect a clutching action between these two elements. Thus, the motion of the shaft 78 is transmitted through the sleeve 92, to the disc 96,

and hence through the splined sleeve 94 to the lower portion 49 of the number 48. Rotation of member 48,

time. That is, upon energization of the clutch coil 90, the brake coil 68 is de-energized upon the energization of the brake coil 68, the clutch coil 90 is de-energized.

While the foregoing driving and stopping means is not the only system which could be utilized to provide the operation of the mechanism, it is one which in use has proven to be quite satisfactory. As will become more apparent as this description proceeds, the endorsement mechanism of the present invention, as set forth in the example, must start and stop at the rate of 1200 times per minute. Additionally, it is to be remembered that once started, the endorsement mechanism of the present invention must be run at a speed which is synchronous with that of document movement for, if the stamp pad and checks are moving at substantially diiferent rates of speed during the time of endorsement, damage to the document is likely. Thus, the demands placed upon the driving and stopping means are quite rigorous.

As has been previously mentioned, and as will be explained in detail with respect to FIG. 8, the sensing means comprising the photocell 44 and light 45 (FIG. 1) provides a signal for initiating the endorsement action, i.e. by releasing the brake and engaging the clutch. Some means must also be provided for stopping the mechanism by releasing the clutch and engaging the brake. The means by which this stopping function is achieved in the specific embodiment of the invention herein shown and described may be best understood with reference to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6.

Positioned immediately above the clutch disc 96 is a timing disc 100 which is securely afiixed to and rotatable with the lower portion 49 of the rotatable member 48. The exact position of the disc 100 is not of prime importance, it being necessary only that this member is rotated in synchronism with the rotatable member 48. Disc 100 is comprised of two sectors, a smaller radius sector 102 and a larger radius sector 104. Disc 100 also contains, in the larger radius sector, an aperture 114 which is spaced a distance from the center of the disc less than the radius of sector 102.

Two signals for the operation of the endorsement mechanism of the present invention are provided through the use of the disc 100. The means for producing the first signal includes a light source 106 positioned beneath the disc and a light sensitive sensor or signal producing means 108, such as a light responsive semiconductor, positioned above the disc. The light source 106 and the sensor 108 are positioned in substantial registration with the path of aperture 114. When these three elements, the aperture, the light source, and the sensor, are in registration, light falls upon the sensor 108. During that period of time when the aperture 114 is not in alignment with the light source 106 and the sensor 108, the sensor 108 is shielded from the light 106 by the disc 100. Upon the radiation of the sensor 108, there is produced a signal which is utilized to effect the engagement of the brake mechanism and to simultaneously effect the disengegament of the clutch mechanism. The location of the aperture 114, in this embodiment, is such that the registration of the light, aperture, and sensor occurs at substantially the time when the pad 51 leaves the check at the end of the endorsement.

The second signal is produced by a second light source 110 and a second light sensor 112. During the period of time in which the larger radius section 104 of the disc 100 is disposed between the light 110 and the sensor 112, no light reaches the sensor 112 and, therefore, no signal is generated. However, during that portion of the rotation of the rotatable member 48 in which the smaller radius sector 102 of the disc 100 is in registration with the light 110 and the sensor 112, light is able to irradiate the sensor 112 to thereby effect a signal. This signal is an interlocking safety signal which prevents the removal of motive power from the rotatable member 48 during that period of time in which the pad 51 is in engagement with a check. Obviously, were the endorsement mechanism to stop while the pad 51 is in engagement with a check, serious damage to the check could occur. A more complete description of the utilization of the signals from the two signal producing sensors 108 and 112 will be given in the discussion of the schematic illustration of FIG. 8, when the total operation of the device is discussed.

FIGS. 5 and 6 also illustrate the details of construction of the endorsement head of the present invention. The imprintingor stamp pad 51 may consist of a rubber mat which has appropriate characters thereon all which is well-known in the art. The pad 51 is bonded to a curved, substantially U-shaped member 51 (see FIG. 7) which is retained in position on the endorsement head 50 by any suitable means, for example, four screws 116. Provided vertically along each side of the main portion of the stamp pad 51 are operator changeable numbers or letters. These changeable numbers or letters may be included on a plurality of rubber belts 117 which are adjustable through the use of star wheels 118 in a manner similar in operation and construction to the ordinary date stamp in common use.

The manner for providing the three vertical positions of endorsement on a check is illustrated in FIG. 7. Three detents 120 are provided on one side of the upper portion of the rotatable member 48. A spring loaded ball retainer 122, including a ball 123 is positioned in the back of the head 50. The operator may change the vertical position of the head 50 by merely raising or lowering the head 50 to a position such that the ball retainer 122 is in alignment with the desired detent 120. In this position the ball 123 registers with the desired detent and serves to maintain the head 50 in that particular position.

Operational control of the mechanism of the present invention is best explained with reference to the schematic illustration of FIG. 8. Insofar as is applicable, the following definitions shall apply to the following terms used in the description of FIG. 8.

While the electrical signals utilized in the operation of the device will be of some particular magnitude, they will be, in the subsequent description, referred to merely as high level and low level signals. It will also be as sumed that the output of all light sensitive devices is at a high level when irradiated by light and at a low level when not so irradiated.

Additional terminology to be used in the subsequent discussion includes an AND gate, OR gate, inverter, flipflop, one-shot, and signal delay means. An AND gate is defined as a multiple input, single output device. All inputs to an AND gate must be at the high level in order for the output to be at a high level. Should any of the inputs to the AND gate be of a low level, the output of the AND gate will be a low level output. An OR gate is defined as a multiple input, single output device which provides a high level output upon the application of a high level signal to any one of its inputs.

An inverter is defined as a single input, single output device which, as the name implies, provides a low level output in response to a high level input and a high level output in response to a low level input.

A flip-flop as here defined is a device having two stable states of operation. As utilized in the subsequent discussion, a fiip-flop has two input terminals, a set (S) and a reset (R) terminal, and two output terminals (a one terminal and a zero terminal). When a high level signal is applied to the set (S) terminal of the flip-flop, the one output terminal is at a high level and the zero output terminal is at a low level. When a high level signal is applied to the reset (R) terminal of the flip-flop, the one output terminal is at the low level and the zero terminal is at a high level.

A one-shot is a single input, single output device having one stable and one quasi-stable state. Upon the application of a high level signal to the input, the one-shot is triggered or placed into the quasi-stable state where it remains for a predetermined time before returning to the stable state. In the FIG. 8 description it shall be assumed that the output of a one-shot will momentarily go to a high level signal only as the one-shot changes from its quasi-stable state to its stable state. It is also assumed that the one-shot cannot again be placed in the quasi-stable state until the input has dropped to a low level and once again raised to a high level signal.

A signal delay means is defined as a single input, single output device which provides a finite time delay of the input signal between its input and output terminals. All of the foregoing devices are of a well-known nature and further description of these devices is not deemed Warranted.

In the discussion of FIGS. 8 and 9, the schematic representation of the various elements previously described will be designated by the same reference characters, insofar as is practical, as were previously used. Also, for the purpose of the ensuing discussion, it shall be initially assumed that it is desired to place an endorsement corresponding to that shown in FIG. 2 at the top left hand corner of the check. To achieve the vertical positioning of this endorsement, the endorsement head 50 is positioned on the rotatable member 48 in the uppermost position, or that position which is illustrated in FIG. 7.

With specific reference now to FIG. 8, operation of the document sorting mechanism and of the endorsement mechanism of the present invention is initiated by the operator actuating switch 39, the master power switch, which permits electrical power to be delivered from a source, represented by block 124, to the sorting mechanism and the endorsement mechanism. Insofar as the endorsement mechanism is concerned, actuation of switch 39 supplies a high level signal to a one-shot 126, the high level output of which is supplied to the set (S) input terminal of a flip-flop 128 via a multiple input OR gate 139. Thus, flip-flop 128 is placed in its set state with a high level signal present at its one output terminal. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the brake coil 68 is connected to the zero output terminal while the clutch coil 90 is connected to the one output terminal of the flip-flop 128. Thus, upon the closing of switch 39 the clutch and brake assemblies are placed in the clutch on, brake off mode and rotation of the endorsement head 50 will begin. This rotation will continue until the brake assembly is actuated, by placing flip-flop 128 in its reset state, as in hereinafter described. The reason for providing this initial rotation is to insure that the endorsement head 50 has not been inadvertently moved to its endorsement position, i.e. with the pad 51 in contact with the drum 30, during the period when the document sorter was not being used. Such a position, if unchanged, would result in check damage upon the feeding of checks.

Assuming now that it is desired to sort checks and to apply an endorsement while sorting, the operator now closes switch 40. Closing of this switch connects the endorsement mechanism circuitry to a power supply, represented by a battery 125, to provide a high level signal to each of the three switches 41, 42, and 43. These latter three switches are mechanically interlocked (represented by dotted line 129) such that only one switch may be closed at a time. The switches 41, 42, and 43 respectively connect the high level signal from battery 125 to an input of each of three, two input AND gates 130, 131, and 132. To achieve the specified upper left-hand endorsement, the operator will close switch 41 which applies a high level signal to an input terminal of the AND gate 130.

If a check 133 (FIG. 8) is now fed into position between the light 45 and the photocell 44, the photocell output voltage level will change from the high to the low level. The output of the photocell 44 is continuously amplified by an amplifier 134, the output of which is inverted by an inverter 135 and applied as a high level signal to the-input of a signal delay means 136. After the pre scribed time delay of the means 136, the output (a high level signal) therefrom is applied to the second input terminal of AND gate 130. The other input to AND gate 130 is already at a high level by virtue of its connection to the battery 125. Thus, as both inputsto AND gate 130 are of a high level, gate 130 is enabled and a high level output signal is present at its output. The high level output of AND gate 130 is supplied to one input terminal of OR gate 139 to thus provide a high level signal at the output of that gate. This latter high level signal is, in turn, supplied to the set (S) input terminal of flip-flop 128. With a high level signal at the S terminal of flip-flop 128, the flipflop 128 changes its state such that high and low level signals are present respectively at the one and zero terminals of flip-flop 128. In this condition, the low level signal is applied to the brake coil 68, thus disengaging the brake, and a high level signal is applied to the clutch coil 90, engaging the clutch. Power is now transmitted from the lower rotating shaft 78 to the rotatable member 48 to thus cause the endorsement mechanism to rotate and place an endorsement on the check as the check is transported past the drum 30.

In accordance with the provisions of the specific embodiment of the present invention, the stop signal, a high level signal applied to the R terminal of flip-flop 128, is initiated by the action of the disc 100. Each of the lights 106 and 110 is connected across a suitable power source represented by battery 140 to provide illumination or the energization of the lights 110 and 106. At one point of rotation of the disc (that point corresponding to when the trailing edge of the pad 51 is terminating its contact with the check), the aperture 114 is in alignment with light 106 and sensor 100. The output of the sensor 108, which is at low level in the darkened condition, now changes to high level due to irradiation by the light 106. The output of the sensor 108, amplified by an amplifier 141, is applied to one input terminal of a two input AND gate 142. The second input of AND gate 1.42 is connected through an inverter 143 to the output of OR gate 139. Inasmuch as a finite period of time has elapsed since the application of a high level signal to the signal delay means 136, the output of the delay means 136 is now at a low level, and AND gate 130 is disabled resulting in a low level output from gate 139. This low level output, when inverted by inverter 143, is a high level input to gate 142 which is present prior to the time the aperture 114 gains registration with the light 106 and sensor 108. Thus, upon irradiation of the sensor 108 through the aperture 114, AND gate 142 is enabled providing at its output a high level signal which is applied to the R terminal of the flipflop 128 to switch the flip-flop 128 to its reset state. With flip-flop 128 once again in its reset state, the brake is engaged and the clutch disengaged. The endorsement mechanism is brought to a halt under the action of the brake, a single revolution or operation cycle completed.

Sensor 112 is illuminated by the light during that portion of the cycle when the smaller radius sector 102 of the disc 100 is positioned adjacent the light source 110. The output of sensor 112, amplified by an amplifier 144, is applied to one of the input terminals of OR gate 139. Thus, so long as disc portion 102 is in registration with the light 110 and the sensor 112, there is provided at the output of OR gate 139 a high level signal which is applied to the S terminal flip-flop 128. This high. level signal is also applied through inverter 143 to the second input of AND gate 142, where it is, because of the action of the inverter 143, a low level signal. Thus, so long as this low level signal is present at the input of gate 142, AND gate 142 is disabled and the means for causing the flip-flop to change to its reset state is disabled. Thus by properly correlating the size and position of the sector 102 to endorsement head 50, braking of the endorsement mechanism is prohibited during that period of time in which the endorsement is being made upon the check. In essence, what has been provided by the above is that the brake on, clutch ofI" mode can be achieved only-when the aperture 1 1 114 of disc 100 is in registration with the light source 105 and the sensor 108 and this occurs when the pad 51 is not contacting the drum 30. Thus possible damage to checks being transported is prevented.

Should it now be desired to change the endorsement position to any of the middle horizontal positions of the back of a check, switch 42 on the console 38 is actuated (this automatically disconnects switch 41). The high level signal from battery is now applied to one input terminal of a two input AND gate 131. It is seen, in FIG. 8, that the output of the signal delay means 136, as well as being applied to the AND gate 130, isapplied to a second signal delay means 137. The output of the second delay means 137 is the second input to gate 131 and the output of this gate is applied to the OR gate 139. The remaining portion of the circuitry operates identically to that as previously described. In a similar manner, the output of the signal delay means 137 is applied to the input of a third signal delay means 138 and switch 43 applies a high level signal from battery 125 to one input terminal of the third, two input AND gate 132. The closing of switch 43 effects the placement of the endorsement in the third or far right-hand horizontal endorsement position. The three signal delay means 136, 137, and 138 are connected in a cascade :arrangement such that the delay of each of these is additive when the particular AND gate associated therewith is in an enabled condition by the actuation of one of the switches 41, 42, or 43. Thus, upon the actuation of switch 41, the time delay effected is that caused by the delay means 136. Actuation of switch 42 causes a delay equal to the sum of the delay of the two delay means 136 and 137 and the actuation of switch 43 effects a delay equal to the sum of the delays of the three means 136, 137, and 138. These three difierent periods of time delay correspond to the three possible horizontal endorsement positions.

While the signal delay means 136, 137, and 138 may be of any suitable type, those utilized in the specific embodiment of the invention built were one-shot multivibrators. In this specific embodiment, one-shot 136 provides a delay of 6 milliseconds while each of the other oneshots 137 and 138 provide signal time delays of 8 milliseconds each. The amount of delay necessary for each of these means is dependent upon several factors including the response time of the sensor 44, the distance between the sensor 44 and the first endorsement position as well as the actual linear speed of the document which is being endorsed.

One point should here be made respecting that shown in FIG. 8, as compared with what is actually done in practice. The voltage necessary to achieve the proper operation of the clutch and brake mechanism would normally be much higher than those volt-ages which would be used in the logic circuitry which has been described. Therefore, in actual implementation of the system the output of the flip-flop 128 would not be connected directly to the clutch and brake coils as is indicated but would be utilized to control some power switching means which, in turn, would apply a voltage of sufficient magnitude to these coils. The switching device for this application would be, for example, a thyratron or silicon controlled rectifier. However, the principle, as is illustrated in FIG. 8, is that which is applicable.

If, as was discussed, the output of flip-flop 12.8 is utilized to control a power switching devcie, any variations in the actual voltage applied to the clutch and brake coils would be compensated for by the action of the clutch and brake mechanisms. In explanation, the repetition rate of the endorsement mechanism, 1200 cycles per minute, is high compared with normal voltage fluctuations. Therefore, if the voltage is low during a particular braking period, thus allowing the endorsement head to travel further than is normal, upon the next actuation of the clutch, this same low voltage will be present and the pickup of the clutch is also comparably slow. A similar analogy holds in the 12 event that the voltage applied to the coils be of higher than a normal level. It should also be noted that, because the actual actuation of the brake is independent of all things except actual position of the endorsement head, there can be no cumulative error and that each cycle is independently started and stopped.

Referring now to FIG. 9, there is shown a modification such as might be embodied with the mechanism of the present invention. The modification illustrated in FIG. 9 represents a means whereby the reading mecahnism or a computer central processor may control which documents to endorse and which not to endorse. For example, should a check not bearing an identification media be present, or should some other error occur in the reading of the check it may be undesirable to endorse that particular check. Therefore, to prevent this endorsement, there may be provided a two input AND gate 150 whose output is connected to the input of the first signal delay means 136. One input terminal of the AND gate 150 is connected to the output of inverter and the second input of AND gate is connected to a block 155. Block may represent either the signal reading means or a central processor. In this situation, should the block 155, which may be designated as a disabling means, decide that no endorsement is desired on a particular document, the output from that element 155 will be at a low voltage level, disabling gate 150 which, in turn, will preclude the actuation of the endorsement mechanism.

Thus, it is seen that there has been shown and described an endorsement mechanism which, although shown and described with respect to a document sorter, may also form the basis of a free standing independent unit. This mechanism may also be used in conjunction with other types of apparatus. It is further seen, that through sensing the actual presence of the document to initiate action of the endorsement mechanism, the mechanism of the present invention is completely asynchronous (compared with associated apparatus) with respect to its operation insofar as starting is concerned. Once initiated, however, because the running speed of the apparatus is matched to the linear speed of the document, the operation of the mechanism is in a synchrnous mode. Further, it is seen that the stopping of the mechanism is independent of all things except the actual position of the endorsement mechanism; precluding cumulative error in operation. Because of these features, the endorsement mechanism of the present apparatus is able to place endorsements consistently within a specified area with respect to the leading edge of the check or document. In actual practice, the endorsement mechanism has been successfully operated with a maximum deviation in the horizontal direction of plus or minus one-quarter inch. Vertical accuracy is consistently maintained at a plus minus one-eighth inch.

While the principles of the invention have now been made clear in an illustrative embodiment, there will be immediately obvious to those skilled in the art many modifications of structure, arrangement, proportions, the elements, materials, and components, used in the practice of the invention, and otherwise, which are particularly adapted for specific environments and operating requirements without departing from those principles. The appended claims are therefore intended to cover and embrace any such modifications, within the limits only of the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A mechanism for the placement of an endorsement on a moving document comprising: means for moving said document along a predetermined path; a rotatable member positioned adjacent said path; an endorsement head including an imprinting stamp supported by and rotatable with said rotatable member; drive means for eifecting the rotation of said rotatable member; means responsive to a first signal for coupling said rotatable member to said drive means; means adjacent said path for the detection of the presence of a document adjacent 13 thereto and for producing said first signal in response to said detection; a signal delay means operative on said first signal for delaying, in time, the coupling of said drive means with said rotatable member; a stopping means for halting the rotation of said rotatable member operable in response to a second signal; a second signal producing means for generating said second signal; a third signal producing means for the production of a third signal during a period of time corresponding to that required for a prescribed portion of each rotation of said rotatable member, means responsive to said third signal for preventing the operation of said stopping means; and means comprising a substantially disc shaped member secured to and rotatable with said rotatable member, said substantially disc shaped member cooperating with said second and said third signal producing means to effect the production of said second and third signals.

2. A mechanism for the placement of an endorsement on a moving document comprising: means for moving said document along a predetermined path; a rotatable member positioned adjacent said path; an endorsement head including an imprinting stamp supported by and rotatable with said rotatable member; means for effecting the rotation of said rotatable member comprising a rotating driving means, a clutch responsive to a first signal for connecting said rotatable member to said driving means, a means positioned adjacent said path for the detection of the presence of a document adjacent thereto and for producing said first signal in response to said detection, and a selectively variable signal delay means operative on said first signal for delaying, in time, the connecting of said driving means with said rotatable member; means for halting the rotation of said rotatable member comprising a brake responsive to a second signal and operable on said rotatable member and means for the production of said second signal; means for preventing the simultaneous operation of said brake and said clutch; a third signal producing means for the production of a third signal during a period of time corresponding to that required for a prescribed portion of each rotation of said rotatable member; means responsive to said third signal and operable to prevent the disconnection of said rotatable member with said driving means; and means rotatable with said rotatable member acting in cooperation with said second and third signal producing means for effecting the production of said second and said third signals.

3. A mechanism for the placement of an endorsement on a moving document comprising: means for moving said document along a predetermined path; a rotatable member positioned adjacent said path; an endorsement head including an imprinting stamp supported by and rotatable with said rotatable member; means for securing said head at a plurality of positions on said rotatable member; means for effecting the rotation of said rotatable member comprising a constantly rotating driven shaft, a clutch operable in response to a first signal for connecting said rotatable member to said shaft, a means positioned adjacent said path for the detection of the leading edge of a document adjacent thereto and for the production of said first signal in response to said detection, and a selectively variable signal delay means operative on said first signal to delay, in time, the operation of said clutch means for halting the rotation of said rotatable member comprising a brake operable in response to a second signal and means for the production of said second signal after a prescribed amount of rotation of said rotatable member; said means for preventing the simultaneous operation of said brake and said clutch; a third signal producing means for the production of a third signal during a period of time corresponding to that required for a prescribed portion of each rotation of said rotatable member, and means responsive to said third signal for preventing the removal of said rotating shaft connection with said rotatable member and preventing the operation of said brake; said second and said third signal producing means including an element which is rotatable with said rotatable member, said element providing the timing for the production of said second and third signals.

4. A document handling apparatus comprising: a trans porting medium for providing documents with motion along a prescribed path; and an endorsement mechanism positioned along said path for imprinting information on said document, said endorsement mechanism comprising: a rotatable member; an information bearing imprinting means operatively associated with said rotatable member and movable thereby at a tangential speed substantially equal to the linear speed of said transporting medium; a rotating driving means; a clutch for connecting said driving means with said rotatable member to provide said rotatable member with rotary motion; a brake engageable with said rotatable member for preventing motion of said rotatable member; means positioned adjacent said path for the detection of the leading edge of a document adjacent thereto and for the production of a first signal in response to said detection; means, including signal delay means, for transmitting said first signal to said clutch and brake whereby in response to said first signal there is effected the substantially simultaneous engagement of said clutch and disengagement of said brake to thereby provide said rotatable member with rotational motion; a second signal a producing means operative in substantial synchronism with said imprinting means to provide a second signal at a time corresponding to a prescribed position of said imprinting means, means including said clutch and said brake, responsive to said second signal for effecting the substantially simultaneous disengagement of said clutch and the engagement of said brake whereby said rotational motion of said rotatable member and said imprinting means is stopped; third signal producing means providing a third signal continuously during a period of time corresponding to that required for a prescribed portion of each rotation of said rotatable member and said imprinting means, and means responsive to said third signal for preventing the disengagement of said clutch and the engagement of said brake.

5. A document handling apparatus comprising: a transporting medium for providing documents with motion along a path at a prescribed linear speed; and an endorsement mechanism positioned along said path for imprinting information on said document, said endorsement mechanism comprising: a rotatable member; an information bearing impringing means operatively associated with said rotatable member and movable thereby at a tangential speed substantially equal to the linear speed of said documents; a continuously rotating driv-' ing means; a clutch operable to connect said rotating driving means with said rotatable member to provide said rotatable member with rotary motion; a brake engageable with said rotatable member for preventing the rotary motion thereof; means positioned adjacent said path for the detection of the presence of a document adjacent thereto and for producing a first signal in response to said detection; means, including selectively variable signal delay means, for transmitting said first signal to said clutch and brake whereby in response to first signal there is effected the substantially simultaneous engagement of said clutch and disengagement of said brake to thereby provide said rotatable member with rotary motion; a second signal producing means providing a second signal at a time corresponding to a prescribed postion of said imprinting means, means responsive to said second signal for effecting the substantially simultaneous disengagement of said clutch and the engagement of said brake whereby said rotary motion of said rotatable member and said imprinting means is stopped; a third signal producing means for the production of a third signal continuously during a period of time corresponding to that required for a prescribed portion of each rotation of said rotating member and said imprinting means; means responsive to said third signal preventing the disengagement of said clutch and the en- 'gagement of said brake; and a contoured disc rotatably UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,620,542 3/ 1927 Gladwill et a1. 10124O 2,600,952 6/1952 Ackell et a1 -101110 X 2,641,998 6/1953 Donald 101235 16 Weber et al. 101---235 Karkow 101-235 Van Marle 101236 Eckert et al 101-236 X Gonzalez et a1. l01235 X Buskirk 101235 X Ayers 101212 Ross 101-233 X 10 WILLIAM B. PENN, Primary Examiner.

ROBERT E. PULFREY, Examiner.

P. R. WOODS, Assistant Examiner, 

1. A MECHANISM FOR THE PLACEMENT OF AN ENDORSEMENT ON A MOVING DOCUMENT COMPRISING: MEANS FOR MOVING SAID DOCUMENT ALONG A PREDETERMINED PATH; A ROTATABLE MEMBER POSITIONED ADJACENT SAID PATH; AN ENDORSEMENT HEAD INCLUDING AN IMPRINTING STAMP SUPPORTED BY AND ROTATABLE WITH SAID ROTATABLE MEMBER; DRIVE MEANS FOR EFFECTING THE ROTATION OF SAID ROTATABLE MEMBER; MEANS RESPONSIVE TO A FIRST SIGNAL FOR COUPLING SAID ROTATABLE MEMBER TO SAID DRIVE MEANS; MEANS ADJACENT SAID PATH FOR THE DETECTION OF THE PRESENCE OF A DOCUMENT ADJACENT THERETO AND FOR PRODUCING SAID FIRST SIGNAL IN RESPONSE TO SAID DETECTION; A SIGNAL DELAY MEANS OPERATIVE ON SAID FIRST SIGNAL FOR DELAYING, IN TIME, THE COUPLING OF SAID DRIVE MEANS WITH SAID ROTATABLE MEMBER; A STOPPING MEANS FOR HALTING THE ROTATION OF SAID ROTATABLE MEMBER OPERABLE IN RESPONSE TO A SECOND SIGNAL; A SECOND SIGNAL PRODUCING MEANS FOR GENERATING SAID SECOND SIGNAL; A THIRD SIGNAL PRODUCING MEANS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF A THIRD SIGNAL DURING A PERIOD OF TIME CORRESPONDING TO THAT REQUIRED FOR A 